Dr. Brian Reynolds is stepping down as chair of Avalon’s Environmental Commission and Mayor Martin Pagliughi has approved commission member Donna Rothman to take over as the chair. Reynolds will remain on the commission and continue as its liaison to Avalon’s Planning and Zoning Board.

Reynolds has a long record of service to Avalon. He became a member of the Environmental Commission in the late-1990s, and has chaired the commission for nearly 20 years. In addition, he is a member of Avalon’s Planning and Zoning Board and serves on the board for the Avalon Home and Land Owners Association.

Reynolds has led the way with a number of environmental projects for the town, such as the development of the Dune Vegetation Management Plan, the initiation of the Beach and Dunes Trail at both 44th and 48th streets, the Beach Management Plan, the Tree Management Plan, and the development of Acceptable Plant Lists for properties within the Borough. Other major projects include spearheading the replacement plantings in the dunes, a detailed plant list for Living Fences, and the initiation of the concept of the Butterfly Garden in the corner of Armacost Park.

“I have been chair of the Environmental Commission for 20 years,” Reynolds said, “and I feel that it’s time for the task to be taken over by someone with more up-to-date views on environmental situations as they arise in the Borough.”

Rothman has been on the commission for seven years. She also is involved with the Avalon Tree Commission and the Avalon Garden Club, and serves as a board member and docent at The Wetlands Institute. Rothman worked alongside Reynolds as chair of the Avalon Dune and Beach Trail project.

She looks forward to focusing on the continuation of the Dune Vegetation Management Plan, expanding the work of the Tree Committee and Dune Grass plantings, and making the new Butterfly Garden more user-friendly. Rothman’s goal is to stir residents and visitors into action to protect the local ecosystem and gain a better understanding of the environment through participation and support of education, research and conservation.

“I am honored to be taking over as chairperson, and I know it will be a challenge,” she said. “Dr. Reynolds held this position for 20 years, so I have a steep learning curve in the months ahead and plan to give it my all.”

In her free time, Rothman enjoys catching the sunsets over the marsh and bird-watching, specifically the local gulls, red-wing blackbirds, egrets and ospreys.
Avalon’s Environmental Commission meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 4pm. For more information, go to avalonboro.net.

Photo caption: Donna Rothman will succeed Dr. Brian Reynolds as the Chairperson of Avalon’s Environmental Commission.